BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1707

By: Stephenson

Pensions

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System is currently not specifically authorized to accept payment of contributions by automated clearinghouse or wire transfer. These parties assert that the inability of the system to accept these quick forms of payment results in government inefficiency at the state and local levels. H.B. 1707 seeks to resolve this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1707 amends the Government Code to include wire transfer and automated clearinghouse withdrawal (ACH debit) among the methods by which a political subdivision that has a department participating in the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System may submit a required contribution to the retirement system.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.